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Chapter 3
I can't believe I slept until noon! I guess I needed it, especially with my hectic schedule over the past few weeks.
I'm hungry, and after doing my usual morning rituals I decide to go and raid my mother's fridge. I remember my mother mentioning something to me last night about today - it's Sunday. At least I hope it is, or else I'll be in trouble for not going to work again! I just can't remember what it was though, oh well it will come to me eventually. I shrug, and continue on to the kitchen. The past week had been my busiest yet, I really need a holiday. Especially after my divorce, and the endless amount of work I've been doing.
The only good thing was a certain someone who came by my office last Monday. I've never met anyone quite like Pan Son. I hope we will become good friends.
###
I walk towards the fridge, not really paying attention to my surroundings. I picture her face, and the way her eyes light up when she smiles, or when she talks about the art of baking - as she likes to call it.
"Hi Trunks, you seem to be in a good mood this afternoon! What's with the smiles?"
I turn to look at my sister, she is sitting on a bar stool at the counter watching…"Pan! What are you doing here?" I ask, surprised. Ignoring my sister, for now…
If I can tell you anything about Bulla Briefs, it's that she likes being the centre of attention, and absolutely hates being ignored.
"Hello!"
See what I mean. "Hi Bulla, I haven't seen you in a while sis…How have you been?"
She hops off the stool, and comes to hug me. Wrapping her skinny arms around my waist… I look over at Pan, but she is concentrating on mixing something in a bowl. Bulla lets go, but grabs my arms and stands on her toes to whispers in my ear.
"You may want to put some clothes on Trunks," she giggles. "You better hurry too, before all those women arrive from Mom's social club."
Realisation dawns on me. I'm standing in the kitchen in nothing but silky boxers. How embarrassing, "Oh My Stars…"
Bulla steps back, and I look at Pan. I can see a slight blush forming on her pale cheeks. She looks up at me this time, our eyes locking, and she gives me a small smile.
"Hello, Mr Briefs," she finally greets me.
I guess she was being polite in letting Bulla get all the attention she so craved before saying anything. I realise she's not blushing because of my state of undress, she's not even swooning like I know every other woman would. Not once did she avert her eyes to the rest of my body. She is genuinely surprised to see me walking around so casually, and I can see the amusement in her eyes.
"H-Hi Pan," I stammer a bit. "If you'll excuse me, I forgot to put some clothes on." I'm practically running out of the kitchen, nearly knocking my father over.
"Watch where you're going brat…! I swear this house is too small since you moved back!"
"Sorry Dad." I continue on, up to my room.
He's always so grumpy; I'm hardly in his way. I have my own wing here at my mother's house. It has three bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom; a lounge, dining room and kitchen - which never has food in it. Why would I want to waste time buying food and cooking, when the main kitchen is always fully stocked?
I rush into my room, throwing on a pair of faded blue jeans and an old Capsule t-shirt. My heart is racing, I've been thinking about Pan a lot lately, and now she's here in my house! It's perfect, I can get to know her some more, and maybe she'll see me as a friend.
###
I'm about to enter the kitchen, when I hear my sister asking... "So, how do you know Trunks?"
I can't see either of them, and I listen as Pan answers... "I met him about three weeks ago; I think. He came to my bakery at tea time."
"Trunks, came to your bakery during work hours to buy something?" Bulla sounds so shocked; do they really think I'm so vain?
"Err yeah. He didn't say why he came, but from what I heard your mother saying at his office, his assistant usually gets his food."
"Oh Megan… She's such a bitch, always had a thing for Trunks…even when he was married!"
"I only met her once when I went to Mr Briefs' office to drop off some cookies. She was so rude to me, and wouldn't even let me leave the box for him. She treated me like I wasn't good enough to be there."
"I hope Trunks fires her, you shouldn't be bothered Pan. Megan's just a whore looking to score with my brother. She doesn't stand a chance in HFIL though…What do you think of Trunks?"
Bulla, always looking for gossip! I must admit, I am curious to hear what Pan says.
"I don't know him that well, but he's really sweet, and down to earth. Not at all what I expected, or rather what the media makes him out to be. He's so funny and silly, but in a cute way…"
"Wow!"
"Did I say something wrong?"
"N-No. It's just that usually women go on and on about how sexy he is, and what a great body he has. Not to mention how rich he is; I've never heard someone describe him like that. You know…him as a person!"
"Oh… Well, he is very handsome, and I can see what all the fuss is about, but that's not who he is. I like to get to know the person behind all that. I wouldn't care if he was deformed and poor. It's not what makes him, you know?"
"You're really something Pan…I like you already!"
Now that's new. My sister never even liked my ex-wife. She knows this girl for a few hours, and it's like they've been friends forever. I've heard enough, time to show myself.
###
"Hey ladies… Pan you never told me why you're here?"
"Maybe that's because you were practically naked earlier, dummy!"
I stick my tongue out at Bulla, squinting my eyes. She slaps the back of my head.
"I have to get ready, Jesse's picking me up later… it was nice meeting you Pan, I hope to see you again."
"It was a pleasure meeting you too. Maybe you could stop by the bakery sometime, or we could go for coffee or something."
"I'd like that! Trunks can give you my number, and I'll get yours from him, okay." She's practically skipping out of the kitchen.
I don't have Pan's number, little sneak. She's so much like my mother. I decide to play it cool, and see if she'll exchange the numbers with me later. I won't ask her, even if my sister gave me an excuse to.
###
"Can I sample any of these?" I still haven't eaten, and thought we could use a change in topic for now.
"Sure…" She smiles, "and to answer your first question. Your mother came by the bakery to sample a few cakes, and asked if I'd be willing to cater for her party today. She was kind enough to let me use the kitchen here too."
"Oh, she never told me that she asked you to cater. I had no idea. You must excuse me, but I'll be hiding out upstairs for the duration. Guess that's why my father seemed extra grumpy, he's probably already gone.
"Yeah, he left after stealing some pastries…"
"Everything looks great Pan; you really are very good at this." I study all the platters filled with all sorts of cakes, and even pies! "You must've been here since early this morning; I think you deserve a bonus for doing this by yourself."
"No, Mr Briefs. Please, your mother is paying me enough to cover the cost and labour. I don't need extra. I'm used to getting up at the crack of dawn anyway." She shrugs.
I look at her, and something tells me she's not being entirely truthful about the money situation, but I know she's too honest to exploit a rich family.
"I'm…"
###
"Trunks, there you are…I've been trying to call you for weeks. Why haven't you returned my calls!"
I turn in the direction of my ex-wife, who's walking towards us. "Last time I checked, I'm not obligated to return any calls."
"Who's this?" She asks, summing Pan up.
"This is Pan. She's catering my mother's party this afternoon which I'm sure you weren't invited to. Who let you in, and what do you want, Sophie?"
"You're being awfully cosy with the help Trunks!" She lifts her nose in disgust.
"Sophie, who I talk to is none of your business, don't be so fucking rude. Remember where you come from! Pan, however, is a qualified Chef not the help. What are you qualified to do, huh?" I glance at Pan, but she has her head down, keeping busy with her work.
"Why are you getting so defensive Trunks, over some nobody? I need to speak to you... Excuse me, Miss. Do you mind giving us some privacy? I need to talk to my husband."
Pan looks at both of us, and I can see the hurt in her eyes. "Sure, I'm almost done anyway." She's about to walk out, but I stop her.
"No, Pan you stay and finish. You should leave Sophie. Pan happens to be my friend, and I don't like the way you are speaking about her while she's standing right there!"
"Trunks, I'm sorry okay. I'm stressed and…"
"No. I'm not your husband anymore; we've said all we needed to say. I don't care how you're feeling, please just go!"
"He left me Trunks; I'm all alone with no support." She starts crying, and a part of me wants to comfort her, but I won't. She has no right making me feel this way.
I've loved this woman for all of my adult life. She was my first…I gave her everything, except the one thing she really wanted, but somehow I'm starting to think I was the biggest fool in this. My mother always warned me about her, but I never listened, and in the end she broke my heart.
"That's not my problem; you made your choice so live with it." I know I'm being harsh, but what does she expect.
"Trunks we can make this work again; we can raise this baby as our own like we always wanted."
"Are you insane!? You cheat on me, and now you want me to raise your love child! Have you lost your fucking mind? This is not what I wanted, and you know it!"
"What am I supposed to do Trunks? I have no money or job. I got nothing out of the divorce…"
"So it's about that. My mother warned me about you when I was young and stupid. I'm glad she made us sign a prenup. I gave you the house. I supported your habits for twenty years, no more Sophie. You can sell the house, and then I suggest you ask your baby's father for support money. Take him to court if you have too."
I watch as Pan walks out carrying some cakes.
"The next thing you could do is find a job. I don't want you or your baby!"
"Trunks…" Sophie starts, but my mother interrupts her.
###
"What's going on in here? I have guests arriving…Sophie!?"
"She was just leaving Mom." I walk out through the sliding doors, to the back yard, leaving the two women inside. I'm angry! How can she waltz in here, and expect me to take her back as if nothing happened? I'm so frustrated; tears are rolling down my cheeks as I sit on the steps. I still love her, there's no denying it, but what she did to me is unforgivable.
###
"Mr Briefs…" Pan sits down next to me, but keeps a distance, so as to not invade my personal space. She hands me a cup of coffee. "I thought you could use some."
"Thanks…Is she gone?"
"Yeah, your mother made sure of that."
I'm not even bothered that she can see me crying. "We're friends…right?" I take a sip of the steaming hot coffee. "I've never had a friend whom I could confide in before."
"I consider us to be friends, Mr Briefs."
"Well, then maybe you should call me Trunks, instead of Mr Briefs."
"Okay…Trunks…"
I love the way my name rolls off her tongue. "I'm sorry you had to witness all of that." I tilt my head in the direction of the kitchen.
"No worries… Are you ok?" She sounds genuinely concerned.
"I don't know…? She really hurt me, you know? We tried for years to have kids; the Doctor's said there was nothing wrong with either of us. After a few years I even opted to adopt, but she didn't want to." I glance at Pan through the corner of my eye, and she's listening intently. It feels nice to talk to someone as a friend, and I know I can trust her. "Almost two years ago everything changed. We were less intimate, until it faded all together. I didn't want to admit something was wrong, I loved her… I still do, but I'm starting to think she had been using me throughout our entire relationship." I sigh choking on a sob, placing the cup on the step. I rub my hands together, noticing that it's cold out today.
"I'm so sorry, Trunks. You don't deserve this… I know it's hard, but you have to be strong. I really don't know what to say to make you feel better, but I won't judge you in whatever decisions you make. I'm always around to listen though, if you want to talk about anything."
She moves closer, and places her hand on my arm in a comforting way. We sit silently staring at Capsules beautiful back gardens. No more words are needed; she already understands me…
